Selective removal of trace elements from the Baltic by suspended matter

• Suspended matter was collected at 30 stations in the Baltic and Kattegatt, at the thermocline and at the bottom, and analysed for Na, Ca, Mg, Si, Ti, Al, Fe, Mn, Ba, Sr, Ni and V. The composition of the suspended matter varies considerably, but can be described as a mixture of: (1) 12-25% terrigenous detritus with much Si, Al, Ti and Fe; (2) 75-88% biological matter with much Ni, V and Ba; and (3) some Mn-oxyhydroxide.The annual efflux of water from the Baltic is about 460 km3, with a suspended load in the Baltic straits of 1.2-3.6 mg ash material l-1 These values imply that much Si, Ti, Al, Fe, Sr, Ni and V and particularly much Ba and Mn are lost from the Baltic in the suspended load.The average suspended matter is richer in Mn(5×), Ba(2.5×), Sr(4×) and V(1.8×) than permanently depositing Baltic sediments. These constituents are relatively enriched in pelagic deposits, i.e. it is likely that much Mn, Ba and V in deep-sea sediments derive from the continents via suspended transport. This conclusion is supported by the similarity between suspended matter and average Atlantic pelagic sediment.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Geokemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geochemistry (hsv//eng)

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Applied Geology

Tillämpad geologi

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